Former Ajax winger, Finidi George, has stepped down as coach of the Super Eagles.
This was made known by ex-Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye in a post on X.com on Saturday.
He wrote, “News just in. Finidi George #FinidiGeorge_FG has resigned from his #NGSuperEagles manager position.”
The resignation follows the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) decision to appoint a foreign coach to oversee him, despite his recent appointment in May.
George, 53, took the reins after Jose Peseiro’s contract ended in February, having served as his assistant for 20 months. However, the team’s disappointing performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin led to his demotion.
As a result, George’s one-year contract will be downgraded, and his reported monthly salary of 15 million Naira will be reduced to 5 million Naira. His handpicked assistants will also be replaced by the new foreign coach’s staff.
Meanwhile, the former Super Eagles winger, stated that he has not received much support from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
This is even as he was quoted, stating that it was impossible to sanction some players who belong to some “big men.”
He said these when he along with NFF chieftains met with Sports Minister, John Enoh, in Abuja to review the Super Eagles’ tottering 2026 World Cup campaign after they held South Africa to a 1-1 draw in Uyo before they were shocked by lowly Benin 2-1 in Abidjan.
Finidi also used the poster boy of Nigerian footballer, Victor Osimhen, to drive home his point that the country’s top stars are not fully committed to the Super Eagles.
Osimhen was not available for the two all-important World Cup qualifiers with an official explanation that he was injured and sidelined for four weeks.
Finidi said the Napoli striker could still have managed to play these matches.
“The coach went on to say that it appears that Osimhen chooses the games he plays for Nigeria and he (Finidi) cannot beg him to play for his country.”
The former Enyimba coach also bemoaned the complete breakdown of discipline in the team and was totally disappointed with how the players strolled into training camp for the crucial World Cup qualifiers.
He said many of these players had the backing of some powerful NFF Board members and that it became increasingly difficult to sanction them because he would often be warned that a player “belonged” to a certain “big man.”
Nigerians called for the sack of Finidi after his woeful performances in matches he had been in charge of.
The NFF also said it was scouting for a foreign technical adviser to supervise the remaining qualifying matches of the Super Eagles.
